SAFTAS 2024 Best Dressed

Oct 29, 2024

On Friday and Saturday night we celebrated the South African Film and Television Awards. This year was the 18th annual SAFTA awards and it took place at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand. This prestigious event not only honours the remarkable achievements of actors, producers, and their dedicated teams but also serves as a dazzling opportunity for attendees to showcase their style, glam up with stunning hair and makeup, and capture those picture-perfect moments. As the lights shone bright, a few award nominees and hosts truly stole the spotlight with their full glam looks, turning heads and making statements. Some actresses the opportunity to channel different characters for the night,

From captivating silhouettes to bold embellishments, here are six of the best looks that graced the SAFTAs red carpet:

1. Lerato Kganyago

Lerato Kganyago truly dazzled at this year’s SAFTAS, solidifying her status as a style icon with four stunning looks throughout the night. She was one of the hosts for the SAFTAS this year and. As an award-winning TV and radio presenter and a talented DJ, she certainly knows how to make an impression. After Saturday night’s award ceremony she can add “style icon” to her Instagram bio. Lerato had 4 looks in total for the night! Two of her outfits stood out to us, as she captioned them on her Instagram; “Look 2” and “Look 3”.

Look 2

This mesmerising sky blue dress was designed by Gert Johan Coetzee. The beading from top to bottom created sparkles in the light and plays into the fairytale feeling that this dress portrays. The flowers on the bust of the dress gives a sort of tropical feel as it resembles a hibiscus flower. There are even a few flower pieces sticking out of the dress which makes it even more interesting. The wide neck opening drew attention to her shoulders, perfectly accentuating her figure and enhancing the dress's enchanting silhouette.

Look 3

For Lerato’s third look, she wore a dress by Scalo, designed by Sello Medupe. We love the drama she brought with this big Victorian princess inspired dress with striking gold beading adorning the top. The open design was perfectly tailored, showcasing her silhouette without compromising fit—something that many designers find challenging. The vibrant yellow-gold colour of the dress paid homage to Africa, further elevating the look's cultural significance. With her remarkable fashion choices, Lerato Kganyago not only stole the spotlight but also set new trends for red carpet fashion. She is indeed a force to be reckoned with in the style stakes!

2. Nomalanga Shozi

Actress, TV host, radio personality, and all-around creative talent Nomalanga Shozi gave us serious fairy-tale vibes with her show-stopping look at the SAFTAs! Nomalanga’s dress brought an ultra-glamorous twist on Tinkerbell, merging fantasy with red-carpet sophistication.This dress feels like a glamorous, princess version of Tinkerbell. The real showstopper? That exquisitely voluminous skirt, layered and bold, yet elegant as it swirled around her. Made of luxe satin, the fabric added a high-shine, ethereal quality that highlighted every graceful drape and fold. The top of her dress featured leaf-like details that hugged her silhouette and cinched her waist, beautifully complementing the whimsical theme with a nature-inspired touch.

Of course, the pièce de résistance was the daring thigh-high slit—dramatic yet perfectly balanced. Styled by the talented Kgosilesego (known as @advicebykgosilesego on Instagram), the look captured just the right amount of edge. This breathtaking ensemble gave Nomalanga an effortlessly chic, modern fairy-tale look, proving that she knows how to make a red-carpet moment truly unforgettable.

3. Noni Mafani

Actress, presenter, producer, and writer Noni Mafani delivered a jaw-dropping look at this year’s SAFTAs, wrapped in a stunning silver gown by Otiz Seflo. Designed to dazzle, her dress featured a graceful high slit along her left leg and paired flawlessly with towering heels that accentuated her elegant silhouette. The gown itself was a true masterpiece: a shimmering silver canvas adorned with intricate embroidery, delicate beads, and sparkling crystals that highlighted her décolletage beautifully. Some of the embellishments even looked like glasswork, adding to the dress’s luxurious, high-fashion appeal. The pieces of crystals dangling along the dress added movement and shimmer, creating an eye-catching effect that made her shine from every angle all night long.

4. Nomzamo Mbatha

Nomzamo Mbatha who plays Nandi in the South African series Shaka Ilembe, made a powerful style statement at the SAFTAs. In her Instagram post, she shared a rooftop shot during sunset, where she wore a striking tan leather dress designed by Sheli Masondo, the same designer for Shaka Ilembe. This gown exuded bold sophistication, featuring an intricate cut that added movement and dimension. Its open-back and side-baring design were accentuated by a crystal-like structure covering her right side, adding a touch of modern glam. The design didn’t stop there: her left shoulder was adorned with a bone, and her hair featured small white bone accessories, embodying a deep, authentic South African aesthetic. Nomzamo’s look artfully blended contemporary style with heritage elements, creating a unique red-carpet moment that honoured both her role in Shaka Ilembe and her South African roots.

5. Natasha Thahane

Natasha Thahane dazzled at the SAFTAs, showcasing her status as a brand ambassador for Garnier South Africa and an alumnus of the New York Film Academy. She stepped onto the red carpet in a striking all-pink ensemble designed by Scalo by Sello Medupe.The dress featured a sleek, sleeveless silhouette that beautifully accentuated her figure, crafted from transparent fabric adorned with delicate light pink embroidery and intricate beadwork from top to bottom. Adding a dramatic flair, a deeper shade of pink tulle cascaded behind her, creating an ethereal trail that danced with every step.

This juxtaposition of the form-fitting light pink dress against the voluminous tulle not only sculpted an intriguing silhouette but also infused the look with dynamic movement. The feather detail towards the hem of the dress further enhanced its volume, making it a standout piece on the red carpet. Natasha’s bold choice perfectly blended elegance with a playful spirit, capturing the essence of contemporary glamour at this year's awards.

6. Phuti Khomo

Phuti Khomo captivated audiences with her stunning SAFTAS look, showcasing her multifaceted talents as a model, actress, radio personality, humanitarian, wife and entrepreneur. The former Miss SA Teen, crowned in 2002, remains a beacon of glamour reminiscent of the pageantry era. Her outfit, designed by Sipho Sihle (@masangobysiphosihle on Instagram), exuded a dark, powerful aura, drawing inspiration from Old Hollywood glam. One could almost hear the iconic "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" echoing in the background as she graced the red carpet. The sleeveless gown hugged her figure until mid-thigh, where it flared out into a dramatic volume. Phuti completed her look with elegant long black gloves and a dazzling array of diamond jewellery, adding to the opulence of her ensemble.

What stands out most about this dress is the incredible jewel details on the front –resembling a cascade of emerald-shaped diamonds that caught the light beautifully. This exquisite detail elevated her look to a new level of elegance, solidifying her status as a fashion icon at the event.

7. Pearl Modiadie

Pearl Modiadie turned heads at the SAFTAs in a stunning dress by Nolanga Made, styled by the talented @tsakanen. The multi-faceted TV presenter, radio host, producer, and actress embraced the timeless principles of fashion: balance, proportion, and harmony. Her striking long black gown featured exaggerated 3D shoulders, adding a dramatic flair that was impossible to ignore. The playful floral structure in the chest area, reminiscent of a blooming rose, became a standout detail that elevated the entire look. It was a perfect blend of artistry and sophistication. To complete her look, Pearl chose clean makeup and elegantly styled hair, striking the perfect balance between refinement and a hint of drama. The overall effect was captivating, showcasing her innate sense of style and the skillful craftsmanship of her outfit.

In a night where many celebrated their unique styles, these looks not only stood out but also resonated with the spirit of the SAFTAs—a celebration of creativity and excellence in the South African entertainment industry. Thse stars truly reminded us that fashion is an art form, capable of telling a story and evoking emotions.